It’s an exaggeration, but in many ways it feels true. Since leaving for the World Race in August, I have taken literally thousands of pictures on my little iPhone, which is such a gift cause this phone almost bit the dust month 2 in Morocco. *Note: ask me about that pit potty experience. Anyways, my little phone is filled with selfies, pictures of food, friends that we have made, pictures of the streets we have walked, and the homes we have entered. But many of them I cannot share. You see it is really two-fold.
On the first hand, traveling through the 10/40 window means being extremely sensitive about what we share online about our local hosts and their ministries. Every country has been different and pending the current religious situation, some expectations are more lax than others. In closed countries, there are very real repercussions for sharing too much about Jesus or the local church online. Not so much for us as we eventually leave each country, but particularly for our hosts and local contacts. If the wrong eyes come across sensitive photos or information shared, our local believing friends could be forced to shut-down ministries or face unwanted pressures or persecutions. Obviously this is not something to live in fear of, but when I think of all the sweet relationships I have made with local pastors and believers I have healthy pause in sharing their photos online. But these photos are not for nothing, and I would love to share more of their stories and hearts with you offline!
On the other hand, some of my most precious memories are never captured by touch-screen buttons and lenses. I laughed with my friend the other day because I feel like most of my photos are off amazing city sites and exoctic food. But the truth is, when we are exploring cities and getting to know cultures it’s ok to pull out your phone and take pictures. However, in the sweet intimate moments when you are invited into someone’s home, I feel like my role so gently moves from tourist or journalist, to simply a guest. What an honor it is to simply be a guest in someone’s home! This is where a true relationship is being formed and a true understanding of culture and home life is taking place, but I never want to pull my phone out here. There is something so genuine and relational happening in the moments, that I feel awkward pulling out my phone to take a picture. These are moments to simply be enjoyed and experienced.
In this way, I struggle a bit because the pictures I share online never fully encompass my experiences in country. There are faces that I love with all my heart that I will not share and then there are homes and places I never even captured on my little screen. But they are not gone at all! I love to write about these experiences and seriously ask me about them! I can talk your ear off about the people and places we have had the privilege of meeting and seeing.
Some faces I share often are those of my sweet team!! I love these girls with all my heart and each one is experiencing so much at the feet of Jesus each day. Definitely follow them on Insta, Facebook, and follow their blogs! *Note: their blog links are on the sidebar on the left of this blog. Their stories and their perspectives are beyond amazing and it is such a pleasure to share daily life with them.
Blessings,
Bre
